The Naaman Forest Rangers (4-2, 4-1) got a 30-7 win over the Rowlett Eagles (3-2, 3-2) Thursday, Nov. 19. Rangers’ quarterback Austin Valdez connected with Devean Deal and Kingsley Bennett for touchdowns and also rushed for a score. Ja’Hari Lee also rushed for a touchdown. Bennett carried the ball 13 times for 144 yards on the game. Valdez ended the night at 6-13 for 147 yards.
The Rowlett Eagles’ quarterback, Tre Carr, ended the night at 21-32 for 198 yards and threw three interceptions. Backup QB Sebastian Ovalle completed 2-8 for 64 yards with one touchdown pass to Hector Soto.
On Friday, Nov. 20, the Garland Owls (3-3, 2-4) were defeated by the Wylie Pirates (2-5, 2-3) in a close, high-scoring battle. The final score was 52-49.
GHS quarterback Cergio Perez had an outstanding game and ended the night at 28-39 with 401 passing yards. Jordan Hudson caught three of the TD passes and ended the night with 199 receiving yards on 13 catches. Ellis Rogers and Charles Allen also caught TD passes. Jayshon Powers added two rushing scores. Shaunte Russell caught five passes for 107 yards.
The Sachse Mustangs and Wylie Pirates have already secured playoff spots.
The other two teams to advance will be the winners of the games between the Lakeview Centennial Patriots and the Garland Owls (date to be announced later).and the Naaman Forest Rangers, who will play the North Garland Raiders. The Rangers-Raiders game is scheduled for Nov. 27.
None of the teams’ past performance in non-district or district games plays any role in which teams make the playoffs. That decision is made strictly on the results of the four games played in the zone playoff system.
The UIL allowed each district the authority to decide how the playoffs teams would be determined, and District 9-6A voted on this zone system. This explains why the teams with the best records might not be the teams that advance to the playoffs.